Brandon Waggoner, PhD, LPC, ALPS, NCC
Dr. Brandon Waggoner, PhD, LPC, ALPS, NCC is a licensed professional counselor and core faculty member at Liberty University, where he has been teaching in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program since 2021. In June 2023, he founded Beacon Light Counseling, a group private practice in West Virginia that provides individual, family, and faith-based counseling services. Dr. Waggoner specializes in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) treatment using exposure and response prevention therapy, and he integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and other evidence-based modalities to tailor care to each client’s unique needs.
Dr. Waggoner’s path to counseling was unconventional. With a background in aviation, he originally planned to pursue mission aviation overseas, but a combination of personal and professional opportunities led him to counseling. He discovered a deep passion for helping individuals navigate complex mental health challenges, particularly OCD, and for training the next generation of counselors. His doctoral dissertation focused on interventions for individuals struggling with problematic pornography use, further highlighting his expertise in behavioral health and sexual behavior concerns.
In addition to his clinical and academic work, Dr. Waggoner serves as president of the West Virginia Counseling Association and is an approved supervisor in both Virginia and West Virginia. He regularly presents at national and state conferences on OCD, spiritual integration, and counseling skills, sharing his knowledge with colleagues and contributing to the professional development of emerging counselors. His dual role as clinician and educator allows him to impact both individual clients and the broader counseling community.
Beacon Light Counseling was founded to provide specialized, evidence-based care that balances scientific rigor with faith-informed approaches. Dr. Waggoner’s vision for the practice extends beyond outpatient care, emphasizing individualized treatment, community impact, and long-term plans for potential expansion, including residential services for OCD. Through the practice, he combines clinical expertise with compassionate leadership to provide meaningful support for clients and families.
Outside of work, Dr. Waggoner is committed to professional mentorship, student development, and community engagement. He enjoys presenting at conferences, guiding emerging counselors, and fostering initiatives that strengthen both the counseling profession and the communities it serves. His career reflects a dedication to evidence-based practice, spiritual integration, and making lasting, positive impacts on the lives of clients, families, and future professionals.
• PhD, Counselor Education and Supervision – Liberty University
• MS, Counseling – Liberty University
• MS, Commercial Aviation – Delta State University
• National Certified Counselor (NCC)
• Approved Licensed Professional Supervisor (ALPS)
• Dissertation on interventions for problematic pornography use
• President, West Virginia Counseling Association
• Presenter at ACA National Conference and multiple state conferences
• American Counseling Association (ACA)
• West Virginia Counseling Association (President)
• Founder, Beacon Light Counseling
• Mentorship and supervision for emerging counselors
• Conference speaker on OCD, counseling skills, and spiritual integration
Dr. Waggoner is currently working on writing book chapters through his faculty work at Liberty University. His doctoral dissertation focused on helping individuals with problematic pornography online use from a counseling perspective. He regularly presents at national and state conferences, including upcoming presentations at the ACA National Conference in Columbus (April), and has previously presented at the AMCA National Conference in Denver and various state conferences in Virginia, West Virginia, Florida, and Texas. His presentation topics include OCD treatment, spiritual integration in counseling, empathy in counseling, and helping individuals with unwanted pornography use behaviors.
Areas of Specialization/Expertise
- Spiritual Integration
- Individual Counseling
- Family Counseling
- OCD treatment
- Exposure and response prevention therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
What do you enjoy most about practicing medicine?
What I enjoy most is the opportunity to make meaningful changes in people’s lives. While broader societal changes are important, true impact often happens in the one-on-one interactions I have with clients. I also love teaching, because it allows me to multiply my efforts—by training students, I help them develop skills that they will take into their own practice and use to positively influence the lives of their clients. I often tell my students that counseling is a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned and improved. I wasn’t naturally skilled at first, but through training and experience, I’ve grown in my ability to support and guide others. Being able to make a difference in individual lives while also shaping the next generation of counselors is what drives my passion for this work.